Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes say they deserve a share of the $3.4 billion settlement to the Indian trust fund
lawsuit.

The Freedmen are descendants of slaves that were held by the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminoles nations. They say the federal government failed to live up to its responsibility to protect their rights.

The Harvest Institute Freedman Federation wants to put a hold on the settlement until the Freedmen are considered. The move comes as the House and the Senate are due to consider American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which includes a section to authorize the settlement.